Electrical switch having a flexible one-piece actuator

ABSTRACT

In an embodiment of an electrical switch, a rectangular translucent elastic plate having projections which extend from two opposing edges is coupled to a supporting structure. The supporting structure includes a rectangular base, two opposing side walls having projections over the base, and a fulcrum projecting from the base which is parallel to and equidistant from both walls. The plate rests on the fulcrum and the side wall projections overlap the plate projections thereby preventing clockwise rotation of one end of the plate and counterclockwise rotation of the opposing end of the plate. In each of the cavities created by the plate and supporting structure there is mounted a microswitch having a plunger which is triggered by a force responsive flexing of the plate and an indicator light which indicates the state of the microswitch.

United States Patent Zimmerman et al.

[l5] 3,663,781 [4 1 May 16, 1972 ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING A FLEXIBLEONE-PIECE ACTUATOR Robert C. Zimmerman, Manlius, N.Y.; James R. Lindsay,Fullerton, Calif.

Assignee: SCM Corporation, New York, NY.

Filed: Nov. 23, 1970 Appl. No.: 91,858

Inventors:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1962 Helmle ..200/l68 G X1/1970 Mitchell et al. l 1/1958 .lorick, .Ir.

9/ l 969 Krieger ..200/86.5

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 884,470 l2/ I 961 Great Britain ..200/ l72 A Primary Examiner-H. 0. Jones Arramey-Milton Wolson and HarveyZeller [5 7] ABSTRACT In an embodiment of an electrical switch, arectangular translucent elastic plate having projections which extendfrom two opposing edges is coupled to a supporting structure. Thesupporting structure includes a rectangular base, two opposing sidewalls having projections over the base, and a fulcrum projecting fromthe base which is parallel to and equidistant from both walls. The platerests on the fulcrum and the side wall projections overlap the plateprojections thereby preventing clockwise rotation of one end of theplate and counterclockwise rotation of the opposing end of the plate. Ineach of the cavities created by the plate and supporting structure thereis mounted a microswitch having a plunger which is triggered by a forceresponsive flexing of the plate and an indicator light which indicatesthe state of the microswitch.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of theInvention The subject invention relates to an electric switch and inparticular to one which is actuated by the flexing of an elastic plate.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, switches have been mountedon receptacles having a flexible arm which when actuated trigger aswitch. One such switching arrangement is shown and described in US.Pat. No. 3,033,966, which was issued to E. I. Dillon on May 8, 1962.

In the switching arrangement above referred to, the flexible arm isintegrally formed with a base to provide a cantilever type structure andthe base includes a rib to which the switch is slidably mounted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide animproved electric switch which may be manufactured economically.

It is another object of the invention to provide an electric switchhaving an elastic plate which selectively triggers more than onemicroswitch element.

It is another object of the invention to provide an electric switchwhose on-off state is indicated by illumination.

According to the invention, an electric switch of the type actuated byforce exerting means comprises: a base; an elastic plate coupled to saidbase; a fulcrum, coupled to said base, for pivoting the plate; means,coupled to the base, for preventing clockwise rotation about the fulcrumof one end of the plate; means, coupled to the base, for preventingcounterclockwise rotation about the fulcrum of another end of the plate;and means, coupled to the base, responsive to the flexing of the plateby said force exerting means for providing electrical signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above mentioned and other objectsof this invention will become apparent by reference to the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of an embodiment according to the inventionin which a section has been removed in order to expose the interiorconstruction thereof, and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the invention isillustrated in FIG. I. The embodiment shown in the drawing comprises: anelastic plate I, a base 2 and sides 3 and 4 with projections 3a and 4aand a fulcrum S, a pair of microswitches 6 and 7, supporting pads 8 and9, bulb and socket unit 10 and a bulb and socket unit 11 which is notvisible in FIG. I, but is shown in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment, a rectangular elastic plate I having projections laand 1b extending from opposite ends may be molded from a translucentplastic.

A preferred unitary structure, which may also be molded, for supportingthe plate, in this example, includes the rectangular base 2, a wallperpendicular thereto which serves as the fulcrum and the walls 3 and 4at opposing ends from each of which the projections 1a and lb extendover the base 2.

Coupled to the base on each side of the fulcrum respectively aremicroswitches 6 and 7 and bulb and socket units and 11. Themicroswitches 6 and 7 may be of the type which are plunger actuated suchas, for example, part No. BBPO-l-I 39 -MC7, manufactured by Robert ShawControl Co. of Columbus, Ohio. The microswitches and bulb and socketunits may be fastened to the base by screws or other means well known inthe fastening art.

Elastic pads 8 and 9 may be fastened respectively to that side ofmicroswitches 6 and 7 which include plungers 6a and 7a for the purposeof reducing any slack, and thereby maintain the plate firmly in place.

The microswitches 6 and 7 and bulb and socket units 11 and 10,respectively on each side of the fulcrum 5, may be electricallyconnected in series, by means well known in the art, such that the stateof the microswitch is indicated by either the presence of or lack oflight from the bulbs.

When the plate is held in place by the projections from the side walls30 and 4a and the fulcrum 5, one end la remains free to travel in aclockwise direction, and the other end, 11;, remains free to travel in acounter clockwise direction.

In operation, the flexing of the plate by a force depresses a plungerwhich changes the state of a microswitch. As a result of said change ofstate, the microswitch provides a signal which may be used to controlapparatus. Upon removal of the force, the inherent memory of the platereturns it to its former position.

We claim:

I. An electric switch of the type actuated by force exerting means,comprising:

a base;

an elastic plate coupled to said base;

a fulcrum, coupled to said base, for pivoting the plate;

means, coupled to the base, for preventing clockwise rotation about thefulcrum of one end of the plate;

means coupled to the base, for preventing counterclockwise rotationabout the fulcrum of another end of the plate;

means, coupled to the base, responsive to the flexing of the plate bysaid force exerting means for providing electrical signals; and

said plate is a rectangular sheet of plastic having a first extendingsection at said one end and a second extending section at said anotherend;

said means for preventing clockwise rotation include means engaging saidfirst extending section; and said means for preventing counterclockwiserotation include means engaging said second extending section.

2. An electric switch, according to claim I wherein said meansresponsive to the flexing of said plate includes a first microswitchresponsive to the flexing of said one end and a second microswitchresponsive to the flexing of said another end.

3. An electric switch, according to claim 2 further including:

a first bulb and socket, coupled to said base, responsive to theelectrical signal provided by said first microswitch; and,

a second bulb and socket, coupled to said base, responsive to theelectrical signal provided by said second microswitch.

4. An electric switch, according to claim 3, further includ ing firstelastic means, coupled to said base, for supporting said one end; and,second elastic means, coupled to said base, for supporting said otherend.

5. An electric switch, according to claim 4, wherein said fulcrum ispositioned equidistant from said one end and said another end.

4- r a: a

1. An electric switch of the type actuated by force exerting means,comprising: a base; an elastic plate coupled to said base; a fulcrum,coupled to said base, for pivoting the plate; means, coupled to thebase, for preventing clockwise rotation about the fulcrum of one end ofthe plate; means coupled to the base, for preventing counterclockwiserotation about the fulcrum of another end of the plate; means, coupledto the base, responsive to the flexing of the plate by said forceexerting means for providing electrical signals; and said plate is arectangular sheet of plastic having a first extending section at saidone end and a second extending section at said another end; said meansfor preventing clockwise rotation include means engaging said firstextending section; and said means for preventing counterclockwiserotation include means engaging said second extending section.
 2. Anelectric switch, according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive tothe flexing of said plate includes a first microswitch responsive to theflexing of said one end and a second microswitch responsive to theflexing of said another end.
 3. An electric switch, according to claim 2further including: a first bulb and socket, coupled to said base,responsive to the electrical signal provided by said first microswitch;and, a second bulb and socket, coupled to said base, responsive to theelectrical signal provided by said second microswitch.
 4. An electricswitch, according to claim 3, further including first elastic means,coupled to said base, for supporting said one end; and, second elasticmeans, coupled to said base, for supporting said other end.
 5. Anelectric switch, according to claim 4, wherein said fulcrum ispositioned equidistant from said one end and said another End.